Anti-Sweating Injections (Hyperhidrosis Treatment)

What are anti-sweating injections?

Anti-sweating treatments are performed with anti-wrinkle injections. Anti-wrinkle injections are usually used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, as they relax the muscles in the treated area. However, as well as relaxing muscles that frequently contract, they can also temporarily block the nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands. With the right amount of anti-wrinkle solution, patients can notice a reduction in sweating within the treated area.

What causes excessive sweating/hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating that surpasses what is typically expected from a normal body-temperature-regulating response. It can occur on various body parts, such as the face, underarms, palms, and soles of the feet.

Excessive sweating isn’t simply caused by physical exertion or environmental warmth but rather arises from the overactivity of sweat glands.The condition can have various causes but is generally caused by the sweat glands becoming overly active. We can understand excess sweating by categorising the condition into primary and secondary hyperhidrosis.

Primary hyperhidrosis, often genetic, tends to impact specific body areas due to an overactive sympathetic nervous system. In contrast, secondary hyperhidrosis occurs due to underlying medical conditions or certain medications, leading to more generalised sweating across various body areas. Essentially, both types of hyperhidrosis are caused by an overactive temperature regulation response in the body.

Finding the underlying cause of excessive sweating will require consulting your doctor and undergoing some tests. You may benefit from finding the underlying cause of your condition so that you can address the cause before having treatment with anti-sweating injections.

What to expect for your treatment session

You will have a consultation before your session, during which one of our clinicians will discuss your medical history, specific concerns, and expectations. This information is essential to ensure that the treatment is tailored to your individual needs, allowing us to create a personalised treatment plan. Your clinician will identify the areas where excessive sweating is a concern, which often includes areas like the underarms, palms, or feet.

First, the treatment areas will be cleaned to prepare for the injections. Then, following the details of your personalised treatment plan, the injections are administered using fine needles and strategically placed into the targeted sweat glands.

Generally, the procedure involves minimal discomfort, often described as a mild pinching sensation. Your clinician may use ice or a topical anaesthetic to minimise discomfort during the treatment. Your treatment session can take about 15 to 30 minutes, but treatment time will depend on individual factors that vary per patient, such as the specific areas being treated and the amount of anti-wrinkle solution you will need.

A guide to treatment results and aftercare

The effects of the treatment will gradually become noticeable over a few days to a week after your session. As the sweat glands’ activity diminishes, you’ll experience a reduction in excessive sweating.

Results can last up to nine months. However, every patient is different. To maintain your results, you will need touch-up sessions once the effects of the original treatment begin to fade.

You might notice some mild redness, swelling, or tiny bumps at the injection sites immediately after the treatment. These are normal and typically subside within a few hours to a few days. While the treatment is minimally invasive, following some simple aftercare steps can support the effectiveness of the treatment and prevent complications.

• Avoiding vigorous physical activities or exercise for the remainder of the day after the treatment is advisable. This precaution helps to minimise the risk of the injected material spreading to unintended areas and ensures that the solution remains concentrated in the targeted sweat glands.
• Applying a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the treated areas can help reduce any initial swelling or discomfort.
• Avoid touching or massaging the treated areas for the first few hours after the treatment. This can help prevent the solution from dispersing and maintain its intended placement.
• Refraining from lying flat for about four hours after the treatment is also recommended. This precaution prevents the injected solution from shifting to other areas.
• While there’s no need for specific skincare routine adjustments, you should avoid exposing the treated areas to excessive heat or sunlight for a few days. This can help prevent any potential irritation or adverse reactions.

If you experience any unexpected or concerning side effects or have questions about your recovery, please contact our team or seek medical advice.

Possible risks and complications associated with anti-sweating injections

All cosmetic treatments can be linked to some level of risk. The potential complications of the treatment will be discussed in detail during your consultation. One of our clinicians will advise you on preventing complications and minimising risks.

• After the injections, you might experience some temporary side effects, including redness, bruising, swelling, or slight discomfort at the injection sites. These effects usually subside within a few days.
• If treating areas on either side of the body, such as both of the underarm areas, achieving perfectly even results can be challenging, and there’s a possibility that one side of the treated area might respond differently than the other. This may be addressed in another treatment session in some cases.
• Although rare, allergic reactions to the injection materials can occur. Make sure to inform your clinician of any known allergies.
• In rare cases, some injected material might spread beyond the intended area and cause unintended muscle weakness or other effects.
• Not all individuals respond the same way to the treatment. While it works well for most people, there’s a possibility that you might not experience the desired level of reduction in sweating.
• As with any injection, there’s a minimal risk of infection at the injection sites. You will be instructed on how to keep the treated area clean to prevent infection.

If you notice any concerning reactions after your treatment, please get in touch with the clinic or seek medical advice immediately.